Baby It's Cold Outside
Dean Martin Lyrics


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I really can't stay (but, baby, it's cold outside)
I've got to go away (but, baby, it's cold outside)
This evening has been (been hoping that you'd drop in)
So very nice (I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice)

My mother will start to worry (beautiful what's your hurry?)
My father will be pacing the floor (listen to the fireplace roar)
So really I'd better scurry (beautiful please don't hurry)
But maybe just a half a drink more (put some records on while I pour)

The neighbors might think (baby, it's bad out there)
Say what's in this drink? (No cabs to be had out there)
I wish I knew how (your eyes are like starlight now)
To break this spell (I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)

I ought to say, no, no, no, sir (mind if I move in closer?)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried (what's the sense in hurtin' my pride?)
I really can't stay (oh, baby, don't hold out)
But (oh), baby, it's cold outside

I simply must go (but, baby, it's cold outside)
The answer is no (but, baby, it's cold outside)
Your welcome has been (how lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (look out the window at this dawn)

My sister will be suspicious (gosh, your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (waves upon the tropical shore)
My maiden aunt's mind is vicious (gosh, your lips are delicious)
But maybe just a cigarette more (never such a blizzard before)

I've gotta get home (but, baby, you'd freeze out there)
Say, lend me a coat (it's up to your knees out there)
You've really been grand (I thrill when you touch my hand)
But don't you see? (How can you do this thing to me?)

There's bound to be talk tomorrow (think of my lifelong sorrow)
At least there will be plenty implied (if you got pneumonia and died)
I really can't stay (get over that old doubt)




Baby, it's cold
Baby, it's cold outside

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Dean Martin epitomize the concept of the battle of the sexes. The song itself is a playful duet between a man and a woman who seem to be in a quite cozy setting. However, as the conversation between the two progresses, it is evident that the woman wants to leave, but the man persuades her otherwise using several tactics.


The first two lines of the song, "I really can't stay (but, baby, it's cold outside) and "I've got to go away (but, baby, it's cold outside)," establish the main theme of the song, which is coercion. The woman is feeling pressured, but the man attempts to convince her that staying is the better option. Additionally, there are a couple of lines that could be interpreted as the woman being drugged. For instance, in the line "Say what's in this drink?" She appears quite suspicious of the contents of the drink she has taken, which could indicate that the man has slipped something into her drink without her knowledge.


In conclusion, "Baby It's Cold Outside" by Dean Martin is a classic example of a song that contains themes of coercion, manipulation, and sexual harassment. Although the song has been the subject of debate and controversy, especially in contemporary times, its catchy tune and clever lyrics have made it a popular classic that continues to be played during the holiday season.


Line by Line Meaning

I really can't stay
I need to leave


(but, baby, it's cold outside)
(but I feel pressured to stay because of the weather and social norms)


I've got to go away
I need to leave


(but, baby, it's cold outside)
(but I feel pressured to stay because of the weather and social norms)


This evening has been
I've enjoyed spending time with you tonight


So very nice
I've had a great time


My mother will start to worry
My family will be concerned about my safety


(beautiful what's your hurry?)
(what's the rush? Stay a while longer)


My father will be pacing the floor
My family will be concerned about my safety


(listen to the fireplace roar)
(it's nice and cozy inside)


So really I'd better scurry
I should leave soon


(beautiful please don't hurry)
(but I want to enjoy your company a little longer)


But maybe just a half a drink more
Okay, I'll stay a little longer and have some more to drink


(put some records on while I pour)
(let's enjoy some music)


The neighbors might think
People might judge us for me staying over


(baby, it's bad out there)
(it's really cold outside)


Say what's in this drink?
I feel a little strange, did you put something in my drink?


(No cabs to be had out there)
(there are no taxis available to take me home)


I wish I knew how
I don't know how to leave without offending you


(your eyes are like starlight now)
(I am admiring your eyes)


To break this spell
I need to find a way to leave without hurting your feelings


(I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell)
(but first, let me help you with your hat and admire your hair)


I ought to say, no, no, no, sir
I should be more assertive and leave


(mind if I move in closer?)
(but I'm still enjoying being close to you)


At least I'm gonna say that I tried
I'll try to leave, but it may not be easy


(what's the sense in hurtin' my pride?)
(I don't want to offend you, so I may stay a little longer)


But (oh), baby, it's cold outside
But I'm still feeling pressure to stay because of the weather and social norms


I simply must go
I really need to leave


(but, baby, it's cold outside)
(but I still feel pressure to stay because of the weather and social norms)


The answer is no
I can't stay any longer


(but, baby, it's cold outside)
(but I still feel pressure to stay because of the weather and social norms)


Your welcome has been
I've enjoyed spending time with you


(how lucky that you dropped in)
(I'm grateful that we got to spend time together)


So nice and warm (look out the window at this dawn)
(it's warm and cozy inside, and the sun is coming up outside)


My sister will be suspicious
My family will be suspicious of me staying over


(gosh, your lips look delicious)
(but I still want to spend more time with you)


My brother will be there at the door
My family will be waiting for me when I get home


(waves upon the tropical shore)
(but it's so cold out here)


My maiden aunt's mind is vicious
My family will gossip and say nasty things about me


(gosh, your lips are delicious)
(but I'm enjoying being close to you)


But maybe just a cigarette more
I'll stay a little longer, but not for long


(never such a blizzard before)
(it's really cold outside)


I've gotta get home
I really need to leave


(but, baby, you'd freeze out there)
(but it's so cold outside)


Say, lend me a coat
Can I borrow a coat to wear outside?


(it's up to your knees out there)
(but it's so cold and there's so much snow outside)


You've really been grand
I've enjoyed our time together


(I thrill when you touch my hand)
(I still feel an attraction to you)


But don't you see?
Can't you understand that I need to leave?


(How can you do this thing to me?)
(Why are you making it so hard for me to leave?)


There's bound to be talk tomorrow
People will gossip about me staying over


(think of my lifelong sorrow)
(It's going to be difficult for me to live this down)


At least there will be plenty implied
People will assume the worst


(if you got pneumonia and died)
(if something bad happens to me because I stayed over)


I really can't stay
I really need to leave


(get over that old doubt)
(but please don't doubt my feelings for you)


Baby, it's cold
It's really cold outside


Baby, it's cold outside
I still feel pressure to stay because of the weather and social norms




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Frank Loesser

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@ronruggieri9817

I had to check out the lyrics of the popular Dean Martin song " Baby It's Cold Outside ".
I can see why the neurotic ME-TOO crowd wanted this song censored. But the HUMAN mating game with all its " dirty tricks " is only a million years old.
Dean Martin was a GREAT popular singer. I heard he died of a broken heart over the death of his son.


Featured snippet from the web
[ " Martin's grief over his son's death left him depressed and demoralized. Lewis stated in an on-stage interview in 2005 that subsequent to his son's death Martin became a reclusive alcoholic. " ]

Dean Martin - Wikipedia



@humanbeing1168

@@SheilaR.08Maybe you’re out of touch with current culture but this song HAS been cancelled, his daughter had to make a statement at some point in recent years and there is at least one new version with completely different lyrics.

New lyrics - as sung by John Legend
“I really can't stay (baby, it's cold outside)
I've got to go away (but, I can call you a ride)
This evening has been (I'm so glad you that you dropped in)
So very nice (time spent with you is paradise)
My mom will start to worry (I'll call the car and tell him to hurry)
My daddy will be pacing the floor (wait, what are you still livin' home for?)
So, really, I'd better scurry (your driver, his name is Murray)
But maybe just a half a drink more (oh, we're both adults, so who's keepin' score)
What will my friends think? (I think they should rejoice)
If I have one more drink? (It's your body and your choice)
Ooh you really know how (your eyes are like starlight now)
To cast a spell (one look at you and then I fell)
I ought to say, "No, no, no, sir" (then you really ought to go, go, go)
At least I'm gonna say that I tried (well, Murray, he just pulled up outside)
I really can't stay
(I understand, baby)
Baby, it's cold outside
I simply should go (text me when you get home)
Oh, I'm supposed to say no (mm, I guess that's respectable)
This welcome has been (I feel lucky that you dropped in)
So nice and warm (but you better go before it storms)
My sister will be suspicious (well, gosh your lips look delicious)
My brother will be there at the door (oh, he loves my music, baby, I'm sure)
My gossipy neighbor's vicious (I'm a genie, tell me what your wish is)
But maybe just a cigarette more (oh, that's somethin' we should probably explore)
I've got to get home (oh, baby, I'm well aware)
Say, lend me a coat (oh, keep it girl, I don't care)
You've really been grand (I feel good to touch me hands)
Don't you see? (I want you to stay, it's not up to me)
There's bound to be talk tomorrow (well, they can talk, what do they know)
At least there will be plenty implied (oh, let their mind do this, and-)
Ma'am, I really can't stay
Baby, just go
It's cold, baby
It's cold, baby
But, ooh, I don't wanna go
It's cold outside”

NPR article
“Baby, It's Cold Outside,' Seen As Sexist, Frozen Out By Radio Stations
DECEMBER 5, 2018”



All comments from YouTube:

@gladysfenick993

I can honestly say this is one of my favorite Christmas songs .

@theresasullivan5812

Always on3 of my favourites, too!

@georgiaobryan1543

Love Dean Martin and this song!! He had such a beautiful voice!!

@olivelane5619

Yeah lm over moon today they mended me once again at hospitthal. Feel great but even in much pain in bed

@olivelane5619

Sorry sent itself even in much pain in bed was playing dean Jim reeves Liberace etc shall. Be playing them on my death. Bed love olive xxxx

@umbrasyl

@@olivelane5619 hey olive, you have a good taste in music. 🥰i hope your health is good?

@olivelane5619

@@umbrasyl not too good had four operations in two.years the music helps a.lot..how are u keeping

@justacountrygirl8208

It’s about a kidnapper tho

3 More Replies...

@ddeaae

Absolutely love it. I play it over and over....I miss Dean !

@JayH7745

One of my favorite Dean Martin songs for decades. I've collected his music, movies, etc. for over 50 years now. I absolutely love Dean Martin. Thank you for this!

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